The Prime Minister must rebuild the relationship between Government and business in 2020 and then get on with to reducing inequality, tackling the climate crisis, re-skilling the workforce, and, of course, sorting out Brexit, a leading business organisation says.

Ben Rhodes, South West CBI鈥檚 deputy director, has laid out a wish list of actions the organisation wants Boris Johnson鈥檚 Tory administration to tackle this year.

In a New Year鈥檚 message. Mr Rhodes stressed there is no time to lose and said: 鈥淎t the start of a new decade, the 海角视频 must turn the page on a difficult chapter in our history. 2020 is a chance for a reset, a fresh start and to begin a decade of renewal.

鈥淎fter more than three years of bitter wrangling and paralysis in Westminster, we now have a level of clarity that had been badly missing.

鈥淭he Prime Minister has won enough support from the country for a decisive mandate to govern. He must use that mandate wisely.鈥

Ben Rhodes, South West CBI鈥檚 deputy director

He said the CBI is urging the Government to get to work rebuilding confidence and ending the cycle of uncertainty that businesses have had to face.

鈥淎nd firms across the 海角视频 have a simple message: we鈥檙e here to help,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ritish business is committed to real change in our country; to play our part in building a nation that is fairer and more prosperous. A global Britain that can succeed in the world and improve lives at home.

鈥淥nly through an unbreakable partnership between business and Government will we be able to tackle the pressing issues of our age.鈥

He added: 鈥淲e need to start by admitting that the relationship between business and Government has not been as strong as it needs to be. Even strained in recent times.

鈥淲e can and must change if we are to face the defining tasks of our generation: reducing inequality across the country, tackling the climate crisis, and giving everyone the skills they need in a world of transformational technology. The work needs to start now.鈥

Mr Rhodes said top of the agenda is Brexit and explained: 鈥淔irstly, the Prime Minister must work his socks off to get the best possible deal with the EU. One that supports jobs and growth by maintaining close alignment to our nearest neighbours.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives back at 10 Downing Street after visiting Buckingham Palace where he was given permission to form the next government

鈥淭he Government is now in a position to pass its withdrawal agreement with a minimum of fuss. This should be done at the earliest opportunity so that talks on the future relationship can begin in earnest in the new year.

鈥淭he Government has set itself the tightest of timetables 鈥 and we鈥檒l work hard to help them meet it - but they must be flexible enough not to box themselves in.

How's the SW economy doing?

鈥淏eyond Brexit, the Prime Minister will undoubtedly bring his characteristic energy to the agenda.鈥 Mr Rhodes continued. 鈥淏usiness shares that sense of urgency and is ready to roll its sleeves up. To that end, the 海角视频 must use the COP26 in Glasgow as the platform to establish itself as a global climate change leader.

鈥淏usinesses back the Government鈥檚 world-leading net-zero emissions target and now it鈥檚 time to not just start that journey here, but also persuade others to follow.鈥

Damage caused to the railway line at Dawlish, Devon, in 2014. Businesses have called for improved infrastructure for the South West

Mr Rhodes said that third on the wish list is for Mr Johnson to make good on long-standing campaign pledges to 鈥渓evel up our country and reduce the blight of regional inequalities鈥 and give people and places in all corners of the 海角视频 a better chance in life and higher living standards.

He said: 鈥淚mproved infrastructure is probably the most important factor to regional renewal and so better transport links and connectivity, including HS2 and rolling out the 2025 broadband vision, will be vital to many regions of the 海角视频.

鈥淔inally, businesses are keen to work with the Government to reshape the world of work to keep up with changing technologies,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e know around nine in 10 workers will need re-skilling by 2030 at a cost of around 拢130billion.

鈥淲e can invest to meet this challenge 鈥 and in 2020 we hope to work with the new government to make skills a source of national competitive advantage.

How to contact William Telford and Business Live

Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region.

To contact William: Email: william.telford@reachplc.com - Phone: 01752 293116 - Mob: 07584 594052 - Twitter: - LinkedIn: - Facebook:

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鈥淏ut as we enter 2020, the country needs an honest broker partnership between business and Government. We need boldness, the confidence to tell politicians where their ideas are wrong, and where business-thinking can improve them. And vice versa on where business falls short.

鈥淲e must also go beyond criticism and offer coalition. It has been the 海角视频鈥檚 strength for generations and can be again.

鈥淣ow is our chance to re-set the political conversation, get to work, and make the 2020s a decade of new partnership.鈥